1 Person Dead, Another Injured After Wrong Way Crash

A woman died and another is in critical condition following a head-on collision.  The collision happened early Sunday morning on Interstate 40 near the Interstate 235 exchange.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 21-year-old Brooklyn Murphy of Oklahoma City, was driving in the wrong lane when she struck another car head on.

"The person that was driving the wrong way rolled over," OHP Trooper Eric Foster said. "A third vehicle struck that crash scene, as well."

Authorities said Murphy died at the scene. The driver Murphy hit, Erika Almanza of Midwest City, was transported to OU Medical Center in critical condition. 

A driver and passenger in a third vehicle are expected to be OK.

Troopers said they receive three to four calls on wrong-way drivers on the interstate per week.

"Because of these calls, we respond in a very aggressive manner," Foster said. "This is a fatal situation that we're seeing all too often."

According to a report by AAA, 24 people on Oklahoma roads died due to wrong-way crashes in 2019. There were more than 2,000 deaths nationally between 2015 and 2018.

"If you get into a vehicle collision going the wrong way, it's a very high probability that it could be a fatal collision," Foster said.

Investigators said Murphy's condition prior to the crash is still unknown, as they wait for the medical examiner's report.